Bankstown-based AMSL Aero announced this week that they had flown their Vertiia eVTOL prototype untethered for the first time.
Vertiia is a tilt-wing hybrid hydrogen-electric eVTOL powered by eight electric motors that will generate zero carbon emissions in flight.
All previous flights of the prototype have been tethered flights, with the first free flight occurring in the Central-West NSW done on battery power rather than using a hydrogen cell.
“Watching Vertiia take to the sky in free flight was a breathtaking experience for our incredible team of engineers and me," said AMSL co-founder and Chief Engineer Andrew Moore.
"This landmark is proof that the design we pioneered seven years ago works, and it moves us closer to our goal of improving the lives of remote, rural and regional communities in Australia and around the world with an aircraft that conquers the tyranny of distance with zero emissions.”
Production versions of the Vertiia are expected to have a range of 540 nm and a top speed of 162 KTAS, carrying up to four passengers and a pilot.
AMSL Aero CEO Max York attributed the milestone to the vision and skills of the team behind Vertiia.
“Today marks a huge milestone on AMSL Aero’s journey and places the company on a very short list of global leaders in advanced eVTOL development," he said.
"Very few aircraft companies build a full-scale aircraft and get it safely off the ground. What AMSL Aero has achieved with a small, focused team is incredible and shows what can be done when you have a clear vision and amazing talent.”
In 2024, customers placed deposits for 26 Vertiia aircraft orders from civil customers including 20 from Aviation Logistics, which operates the Air Link, AirMed and Chartair, covering passenger services, charter, freight and aeromedical operations.
AMSL expects to fly the Vertiia protoype on hydrogen for the first time next year, as is targeting certification and entry to service in 2027.